Insecure Writer's Support Group--Learning from my muse.

Holy cow! Two years?! Seriously? I still can't believe it! I have to say thanks to the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh for hosting and commenting and organizing and . . . you get the idea. Writers need all the support they can get. I know I do. It's nice to be heard and to listen as well as get some advice.
So thank you again, Alex.

With that being said, I want to talk about muses. I don't mean the band, Muse. Although, they are quite good. I'm talking about that thing that keeps you going and inspires. Ahhh. That's it, soak it in. Your mind is spinning isn't it? I've said in the past that my muse is music. I can't really play anything. I took chorus in high school and piano, but I'm no musical genius, but boy how I love it. Certain pieces create scenes in my head that make me stop and just write. Even develop whole stories.

On Friday, I got to see one of my favorite bands of all time, Depeche Mode. Yes, they're still around and still producing kick butt music. I sat back and listened and realized how long they've been around. I even went back to the beginning of their career and listened to each album in order. It's amazing how much they've changed. You can hear how much they progressed and refined their sound. The songwriting has always been awesome in my eyes, thanks to Martin Gore who is a songwriting genius, but even that has matured and deepened over the years. The thing is I forget to look at myself. Yes, I started this journey later in life, and you know what, it's okay. All I can do is grow and refine and strengthen. Even the most experienced still has wiggle room for improvement and that takes practice and determination. Things never come easy, but you must be prepared when they do. And even then, you must continue to show that you still got it. Depeche Mode still does after all these years. They continue to push themselves to create something powerful.


So thanks, Depeche Mode, for creating the music that has inspired so much of my life. Not only for the stories and visions of characters, but for showing me how to strengthen and grow and create something powerful.

Who inspires you?

Please go and check out the other fine folks who participate. You never know what you might learn or who you might inspire.

Have a great day!!

Monday Mumbles

How was everyone's weekend? Mine was busy, busy. I feel like summer has taken on a different kind of busy and that's entertaining kids on a constant basis. I hope all you dad's had a relaxing day yesterday.

1. Thank you to Elana Johnson for her awesome post on Friday. Check it out here. Also, don't forget to get on over to her blog for lots of fun stuff and pick up her new release, SURRENDER.

2. So, my progress is slow on everything. I did get past the 15k word mark last week, so it's getting there.

3. Querying is querying. I don't even need to explain it, but I'm holding my head high and trying not to let it get the best of me. I know where I want to be, and one day I'll get there. I have to keep moving forward. I'm revising my query again and have cut the first two chapters of my MS. I'm also rearranging things in the first half of my MS.

4. I can't wait to finish all of the stuff above to be able to work on a finished manuscript that is waiting. It keeps taunting me. It's that middle child looking for attention.

5. Here's a great post about those of us who may be losing confidence. Letter to a writer who is losing confidence by Roz Morris.

6. Another post I thought was interesting. My Life Would Be Easier If I Gave Up Writing by Natasha Hanova

7. I've been brushing up on my grammar. This book is simply the best, and one I've read from cover to cover (you know I'm not a self-help book gal). IT WAS THE BEST OF SENTENCES, IT WAS THE WORST OF SENTENCES by June Casagrande

8. Here is another post I found inspiring from Querytracker. Never, Never Give Up Writing and Winston Churchill by Danyelle Leafty

9. I will be responding to your comments soon. I'm getting there. :)

How was your weekend?

Any vacation plans?

Writing goals?

Have a great day!

Inspirational Monday

It's Monday. Yep, first day of the week. I can't say it's my favorite day, but you have to get through it. So, I thought I would put together some quotes to get you pumped.

"This is for writers yet to be published who think the uphill climb will never end. Keep believing. This is also for published writers grown jaded by the process. Remember how lucky you are."

- Terry Brooks

"Screw the fear."

- Jo Leigh

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."

- Albert Einstein

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your dreams. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you too, can become great."

- Mark Twain

"When asked, 'How do you write?'
I invariably answer, 'one word at a time.'”

- Stephen King

Some of these I've used before, some I've just found. A little inspiration never hurts. In the up and coming months, I will be needing quotes like this on a daily basis (not that I don't need them now). I hope this puts a little smile into your day and a little motivation to have a productive and fun week.

What are your goals this week?

Now, get to work.

Have a great day!



Get inspired

The new year. New expectations. New goals. It's funny how every year we set up big plans on January 1st. To me it gets overwhelming. Once I set these so called "goals" I sit back and think. Can I really do all of it? Sure that's the insecure nugget in me. Even though a huge part of me is uber confident and ready to take on the world. This overwhelming feeling leads to limited creativity. It's scary and uncomfortable. So, how do you get through it? How do you clear the fog that is slowing drifting over your land of imagination.

Here are a some thoughts:

1. Write it all down. Take a few items at a time and sit them front of you. Keep only a few at a time in view. Once something is done, cross it off then add more.

2. Set a schedule. Yep, I know the most difficult thing in the world. I know for me it isn't easy but I do it. I have to or nothing will get done. For me, when the kids are at school, it's time to write. This may take a while to figure out and I would suggest to try different options. Be prepared to move things around if need be. The point-- be flexible.

3. Exercise. This goes along with schedule. Fit it in now and it will become a part of this routine. Healthy body = healthy brain. Don't forget to eat right. Although, chocolate now and again is totally fine. Really, it's a  food group. Shhh. It's a secret food group.

4. Read. Helps you grow and inspire.

5. Critique. Read over someone else's work. It will help the writing muscle and you may learn something or teach someone something they didn't know.

6. Music. This is what I'm waiting for. Some new music to totally pull me into my ideas that are just sitting. To take them to the next level and make them a full blown novel.

7. Go to a new place. You don't have to take a full blown trip to Australia (although that would be fun). Walk out your front door. Now watch the animals, people, smell the air, feel the ground. Write down what you saw, in full detail. You'd be surprised what may develop.

I could go on, but I think you get the idea. Plus, I know I've posted some similar before. I want to sit and it all come to me. I love those moments of clarity when I'm sucked into the world I create, but sometimes if you wait too long you may miss something else. It requires work just like everything else even if you're taking a break.

How do you get inspired in the new year?

Don't forget Monday is the last day to enter my CRACKED giveaway. Go here to enter. I also added the blurb to the post.

Have a great day!

It's amazing what music can do.

Music can set off a feeling, influence a mood or inspire an idea. You know it when you watch a movie, TV show, etc. If you turn down the music sometimes the whole scene can fall flat. It really doesn't feel the same. Music, as you know, is a huge inspiration to me. Almost all my ideas are sparked by a song. It just happens.

Music can also calm and heal. I believe it. Let me tell  you why. A good friend of mine believes that every time she's down, or she's discouraged the song "Lightning Crashes" by Live will play. She's convinced. At first, I was like, yeah right, but then I witnessed it. Something was bothering her and when we got in the car. The song played. Sure could be coincidence, but I witnessed it on a number of occasions over the course of years (long after the song was popular).

It also happens to me. Call it what you will, but every time I feel discouraged or defeated "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World comes on the radio. Every time. Serious. When it first started happening the song was popular, but it's still happening years later. Now, I know you are going to say it's all in my head, blah, blah. Maybe, I'm just reaching for anything, but it feels me with hope and I carry on.

Does this happen to you or am I the only one who might have some reaching-for-anything issues?

I'm going to be in my posh cave for a while. I may be back on Monday, but I need to go and focus. :) Happy weekend!!

FYI--If you click the link to the Jimmy Eat World video, um, I don't go to parties like that. :)

Why I'm not quitting.

Quitting is easy. It's not hard and an easy out. It's something that does cross my mind at certain moments, but I can never do it. Why? When you love something so much you can't give it up (Wouldn't give up on your child, right?) No matter how much it beats you down, makes you crazy, tests your patience and question friendships. I can't let it go. I have to do this no matter what. I will keep trying and pushing myself to the limit.

I have to dismiss certain feelings I may have that are ridiculously petty to move forward. Dwelling on anything sets you back. Trust me, I know. Been there earlier this year. If I would've just gotten over certain things, I would've been querying by now. Instead, I dwelled on it, letting it harbor inside me, pulling me down, and leaving me behind. Please don't dwell. If you have something to say, say it, otherwise, swipe it from your memory because it will hold you prisoner.

I realized that only I can move myself forward, not sympathy or harsh feelings.  I have to because writing is a part of me. I love it. I've worked so hard to get to this point that quitting would be like removing a part me and letting the rest of me go numb. I feel alive when I write and I'm not going to stop. There will be a lot of rough times ahead, I know it, but writing anything, even a blog post, brightens all that turns dark.

I've also met too many people who are the best people on the planet. I've never felt more support.

How about you--what keeps you going?

This is a short one. I've got to get back to edits.

Have a great day!!

Tenses are switched

So  I did it. I finished converting a mixed tense manuscript to all present tense (except for the flashbacks which are in past). I actually can't believe it, all 204 pages, and I'm giddy about it. I still have a lot of work to do. Some fill  in stuff, re-doing the beginning then check the plot things (kill some darlings, you know, the usual). I'm down right excited. And the cup of inspiration is filled.

See I'm hyping myself up for the next round of revisions.

So hype yourself up, people. Situations change, people change, learn, grow, and write, write, write. Only you hold the key to your success.

Inspiring? Good. Now if I could only psych myself into running. I'm going to eat a piece of chocolate and some baked Cheetos (don't ask).

Have a great weekend
!
 Oh and I tried so hard to embed this all sorts of awesome movie poster for a little movie called The Hunger Games, but the darn thing gave me trouble. So go check it out here (the first novels club, because those gals are way more talented than me at embedding this stuff) or here.

Can't wait for it!!

Love what you do.

Well, the posts and commenting are random this week. Sorry. Apparently, I'm not super woman. Who knew. This week, and most likely next week are devoted to catching up on CP stuff and my stuff. I'm on a roll, so I need to keep going with it.

I got to meet up with Kate and Kelly the other night. So much fun and so nice to hear encouraging words and stories. Serious inspiration. Thanks Kate. One thing that was discussed--  love what you write. This is sometimes hard, especially when I get feedback that's not so nice. Me being a natural pessimist always sees the negative, but I'm getting it. Sure, I'll say my stuff is crap, it probably is, but I like it or I wouldn't be writing it. I get so immersed in my story sometimes, I don't want to leave it. I want to make it the best it can be, learning the craft, twisting my words till I see double. Yes, I've got a little burn in my gut called determination. Never had it this bad before with others things I've done, but it's there and it's not quitting. I'm also at the point of --write it, loosely follow the rules, and get it done. Yes, days of serious doubt are ahead, but I need days of 'yes I can and it's good.' Let's get in the mode of the latter.

I think if you love it, it will show through. Your work will shine. In fact, you have to love it. If not, then why write it.

Any thoughts or inspiration?

Have a great day!

Paying attention to the signs

You know I'm a sucker for things to guide me--whether it be optimism, inspiration, what to eat...yeah I'm always searching for some sort of guidance. This week has been a challenge. With the Kitchen renovation, writing time has been...pretty much minimal. This makes me cranky. I'm sure you all know this by now, plus there are some health things that have been bothering me, that are not life threatening, just annoying.

I also have been beating myself up with my writing. I did write one thing, a new idea, which I'm excited about (it's for my blogfest). I may turn it into a full blown story. The problem is, I want to finish a freakin' round of revisions for WiP#1. Can I least finish it? Jeez. Every other story I have written has been put aside unfinished. WiP#1 is my baby, my love, and I've gotten good feedback, but needs at least (or maybe more) another round of revisions before line edits. Really, could my brain just cooperate and let go to finish one round of revisions instead of wandering. I shouldn't complain, I know.

So, yeah, I'm looking for signs.

Since I've been down and out, I watched a movie (I've been reading like crazy and love the books, but it's sort of made me feel worse because it makes me feel so not worthy). I watched something that wasn't my norm, but intriguing.

The World's Fastest Indian starring Sir Anthony Hopkins. I think it was made about five years ago, but it is what I needed to see and it's based on a true story.

Here's the blurb:
The life story of New Zealander Burt Munro, who spent years building a 1920 Indian motorcycle -- a bike which helped him set the land-speed world record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967.

Now, I know what you are thinking. What? She watched that? Yes, I did. It's just what I needed for a lift. It's not like I would ever stop writing, but I get into slumps of insecurity, beating me down to make me think that it may never be. This movie though really made me think about that. The character, Burt Munro, kept going no matter what, and at age 68 set a speed record that (I think) still holds today. Flippin' amazing. Trust me, that bike wasn't safe, but his optimism, his belief, that he could do it, got him to that goal.


So, thanks, Burt Munro, for the pick up. The sign I needed. A movie. Crazy.

Have you noticed any signs lately that have helped you?

Have a great day!

The middle of patience

If you didn't get a chance to check out the entries for the Crazy Holiday Blogfest, please go here. A big Thank You to all of you who participated, and all of you who commented. The entries were awesome. Great job everyone!!

So, I'm in the middle of WiP #1 revisions. It's not that I'm stuck, just wanting to move on. I think because I basically re-wrote the whole story so I'm ready to finish it. I've thought about putting it on the shelf, but that sounds criminal. It's like I'm sending it to jail because it's being bad. The MCs do talk to me, quite often, but WiP#3 is tempting me with chocolate. Lots of battles here. Plus, it's testing my patience.

I'm trying not to rush revisions though, considering this is my first finished story. I'm just nudging them a little. I'm learning there are no shortcuts, no ways to make it painless, no way to hurry my creative process, only practice and time. I will admit, I'm slow at a lot of things, but I tend to try and rush them. This makes things careless and messy, not to mention life just goes by in flash as it is, so why push it. Only time will tell, and like I said, practice and time.

In the meantime, I continue to listen to my inspiration music, eyeing every detail, listening for each word as it's spoken (in my head), twisting and wracking my brain on how to make this story the best it can be. So thank you to all the musicians out there. You inspire my whole creative process and without it, life would be boring.

How about you?  Let me know your progress or inspirations.

I will leave you today with lyrics, that's right, lyrics. I read a lot, but I listen to music even more. So, when I quote it's usually from song lyrics. I may start to do this on a daily basis, if it bothers you, well, just let me know. Today, I leave you with this:

Best you've got to be the best

you've got to change the world

and use this chance to be heard

your time is now

From: "Butterflies And Hurricanes" by Muse

And this:
When you think you've tried
Every road, every avenue
Take one more look at what you found old
And in it you'll find something new

From: "One Caress" by Depeche Mode

Have a great day!

Dear friends...

Wow! Let me just tell you I was not going to post today--honest.  I needed a break to finish some things and spend some time with the kiddos to clear my head. I had another post ready to go and I was going to post it today instead of Friday and take Friday off but something blew me away.

As you know I was a complete downer on Monday.  I have had my moments as we all have and this journey will be no picnic but something happened this week something that should have not surprised me so much because deep down I felt it all along.

When I decided to pursue putting my work "out there" with the hopes of getting published I never knew I would meet the most inspirational and supportive group of people. Quite frankly, I didn't know what I would find. 

After posting on Monday and emailing one of my CP's in my desperate hour, I received the best feeling of inspiration and support I could ever ask for-- the comments that flooded in, the inspirational poems and quotes that were posted on blogs brought tears to my eyes. To be quite honest, I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe that so many people who have never met face to face could show so much compassion for someone they barely knew all because I posted my feelings. I will say it again --I was blown away.

Yesterday, I was quite honored to receive a new award developed by E. Elle. Go check out her site because she writes awesome posts.  The Sure Fire Winner Award.

Below is what is posted on E. Elle's blog:
The description: Sure Fire Winner Award: an award to be given to a fellow writer who is staring down the barrel of writer's misery. We all need a little bump once in a while, a reminder that we've been given this gift for a reason and we don't have deep-seeded desires to put ourselves through such torture without good cause.

The rules:
1) You can only bestow this honor on one fellow writer at a time.


2) You can only pass it on to someone who has shown signs of recent struggle.

3) You do not have to have received it to pass it on.

4) When you pass it on, you must provide a word or two of encouragement to the receiver.

5) As awesome as this award is, you can't write a post with the intention or hope of getting this award. I mean, we struggle, yes, but we aren't needy.

6) When you receive this award, you have to state one positive thing about your writing ability. After all, the best kind of encouragement is the kind that comes from within ourselves.

So E.Elle thank you for this.  It has made the sun shine on my journey and made me realize that I have not only have such amazing supporters but I having an amazing group of friends. I will not quit and I will support those who have 'one of those days' in the best way I can. So I promise not to be so down and if I do get this way I know you will listen, slap some sense into me and then I will look at this award to remind me of all you great people out there.

O.k. so I guess I have to pass this along to someone else. I really would love to pass it on to so many of you because as I floated around the blogging world on Monday it seemed everyone was in the same boat.  But I have to pick one so this award goes to Kelly from Kelly's Compositions. Kelly was having the same feelings as me last week.  She is always there when I need her and she has pushed me to keep going before the whole blogging thing started.  Kelly you are an amazingly talented writer and I know you will go far. You can do it Kelly!

The positive thing about my writing ability--I can express my feelings better when I write than when I talk. The post on Monday seems to prove that. It helps you guys understand me and-- well --writing just completes me.

I printed out my first draft and just staring at the stack of papers makes me smile. I actually completed it and  it can only get better --right? ;)     I think I just made this whole week --inspiration and support week!

Before I go I wanted everyone to know that I read all your comments.  I don't always get around to addressing them in the comment box.  So sorry about that --I'm trying to divide my time.  I do read each and every one. Thanks!

I will post again on Monday but look out because I will be commenting.  Have a great weekend!